Join Bobby Owsinski for an in-depth discussion in this video Knowing what to do if distortion occurs, part of Audio Recording Techniques.
You're going along recording and all of a sudden something sounds distorted. What do you do? In this video I'm going to show you the steps to take to troubleshoot what's causing distortion and how to eliminate it. If something sounds distorted use these following steps to track it down. Is the microphone preamp overloading? Check to see if the red overload LED light or the meter is peeking into the red. If so, decrease the input gain or select the input pad or the pad on the mic if it has one. Is your signal path overloading in another place? If you're using a console regardless of the size or an outboard compressor, check to see if any overload LEDs are lighting or if the meters are peeking into the red.
If so, decrease the output level of the stage just before the overload. Is your DAW overloading? Once again, check to be sure that no overload LEDs are lit. This shouldn't happen if you keep your input level between -6 and -10 dB. If it does, decrease the input level on the DAW or the output level of the previous gain stage. Is your playback signal path distorting? Are you listing back in a console? If so, is one of the channels overloading? Are the monitors turned up too loud? Are there any overload lights lit anywhere in signal path? If so, decrease the level from the DAW first or turn down any input level controls in the playback signal path. Is it a mic or cable? Replace the cable first.
Is the sound cleaner? If not, try a different mic. Is it any better? Is it a cabinet ravel? Sometimes a recording picks up something that you can't hear live unless you really look for it. For instance, a buzz coming from a loose amp handle can sometimes be heard as distortion. Go out into the room and listen to the instrument and the environment closely, but be sure to have the player play the exact same part as when you heard the distortion. Sometimes the sound will only come from a single note, so while playing the same part you ensure that it can happen again so you can track it down.
Author
Released
10/24/2012- Optimizing your listening environment
- Listening to how different microphone types affect recording
- Choosing the right microphone for the right recording application
- Positioning microphones for a wide variety of recording scenarios
- Utilizing proper gain staging, preamps, and direct boxes
- Avoiding phase cancellation
- Using a compressor, equalizer, and high-pass filter during recording
- Setting up a headphone mix
- Adding the right amount of compression or equalization
- Capturing great sounds from drums, guitars, basses, keyboards, pianos, strings, and vocals
- Creating a great drum set sound
- Getting the best out of any singer
- Dealing with microphone leakage
- Utilizing a variety of stereo miking techniques
- Setting up and producing a recording session
- Creating a rough mix in any digital audio workstation (DAW)
Skill Level Beginner
Duration
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Introduction
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Welcome2m 7s
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Using the exercise files1m 29s
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1. Monitoring
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Setting up your monitors4m 17s
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2. Microphone Basics
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Exploring direct boxes1m 9s
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3. Recording Basics
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Choosing a preamp1m 35s
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Setting up the mic preamp1m 39s
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Setting the record level2m 29s
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Using proper gain staging1m 46s
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Avoiding latency3m 51s
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4. Microphone Placement Basics
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Choosing the right mic2m 24s
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The secret to mic placement2m 12s
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Checking polarity3m 9s
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5. Recording the Drums
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Tuning the drums2m 19s
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Tuning tips and tricks2m 26s
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Using a subkick microphone1m 31s
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Adding a bottom snare mic1m 45s
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Miking the hi-hat2m 14s
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Miking the toms2m 24s
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Miking the cymbals3m 14s
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Miking the overall kit1m 25s
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Using room mics2m 2s
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Getting the drum sound2m 47s
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Checking the drum phase2m 18s
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Panning the drums2m 25s
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Tracking a solo drum part1m 10s
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6. Recording the Guitar
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Tracking the guitar part1m 11s
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7. Recording the Bass
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Miking the bass amplifier2m 13s
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Tracking the bass part1m 11s
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8. Recording Vocals
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Recording a scratch vocal1m 24s
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Doubling the vocal2m 52s
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9. Recording the Acoustic Piano
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Recording the piano part1m 13s
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10. Recording Horns
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11. Recording Acoustic String Instruments
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Recording a dobro1m 36s
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Recording the dobro part1m 13s
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Recording the string section1m 13s
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12. Recording Percussion
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Recording drum percussion1m 19s
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Recording hand percussion1m 17s
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13. Recording Electric Instruments
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Recording electric keyboards1m 58s
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Recording the synth part1m 14s
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14. Recording in Stereo
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Using the X/Y configuration3m 21s
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Using the ORTF configuration2m 27s
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Using a stereo mic1m 46s
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15. The Recording Session
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Setting up a talkback mic1m 27s
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Setting up the headphone mix2m 31s
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Setting up a click track2m 11s
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Setting up for overdubs2m 17s
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16. Setting Up a Rough Mix
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Setting up the effects3m 47s
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The rough mix of Simply Falling35m 35s
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Conclusion
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Goodbye1m 2s
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Video: Knowing what to do if distortion occurs